The U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing regulations to establish minimum standards to ensure the humane movement of equines to slaughtering facilities by way of commercial transportation.

“These proposed regulations fulfill our responsibility under the 1996 Farm Bill to ensure the proper care for horses without inhibiting the commercially viable transport of these animals to slaughtering facilities,” said Craig A. Reed, administrator for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a part of USDA’s marketing and regulatory programs mission area.

The proposed regulations address food, water, and rest provided to the animals. Shippers of the horses would be required to take certain actions in loading and transporting the animals and would have to certify that the commercial transportation meets certain requirements.

In addition, the rule would prohibit the commercial transportation to slaughtering facilities of horses considered to be unfit for travel, the use of electric prods, and, within 5 years, the use of double-deck trailers